The Ultimate Canyon

THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVEN

Ladder Canyon in the Mecca Hills is a classic desert hike and a great place to take kids. That's one reason I've taken them there. There are about a million other hikes in the Mecca Hills and there's one hike that I think is perfect for kids. It's interesting, beautiful and not too long.

Although the Ultimate Canyon hike starts at the Ladder Canyon parking area it is not very heavily traveled. There were at least 10 cars in the parking area but I was the only one in the canyon when I went there.

Instead of going to the Ladder Canyon or the main canyon to the NW, head to the smaller canyon about 285º NW of the parking area.

The beginning looks like this.

As you get further in the canyon it narrows and the walls are probably 80-100 feet high in sections.

There are fun little passages for kids to run around although I stay in the main canyon. I'll have plenty of passages later.

You'll have this short 4-5 dry fall to climb and then you'll need to take an immediate left.

You'll then come upon this part where the canyon has collapsed upon itself leaving two small places to squeeze through, one low and one high. I choose high but wonder if it's a good idea.

Probably not.

It doesn't get any better from here.

OK, after one more tight squeeze I get to where I can actually see the sky again.

A bit further on is another tight squeeze but I can do this one standing up. Of course, I don't know if I'll be able to fit after dinner on Thanksgiving. It's really tight.

At the end of the canyon is a dry fall about ten feet tall. In another canyon nearby a ladder would be here but nobody's been able to squeeze a ladder back here. It is climbable but one should always remember that it is always much harder to come down something than to climb it. This is a good turnaround spot.

This is but one of tons of little canyons to explore in the Mecca Hills but it's a great one to bring the kids. To them, it will be the Ultimate.

Ladder to the Sun

DAY ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SIX

The sun was brutal yet again today. I guess I'll be able to say that for the next few months here. It's the desert; what should I expect? So what did I do this afternoon? I went chasing the sunset.

I decided to go and try to find a place to watch the sunset and chose the Mecca Hills above Ladder Canyon. I know there's a nice view of San Jacinto from up there and thought it would make a nice spot. On the way, however, I notice a lot of smoke from a fire near I-10 and I wonder if it's going to wreck my view. Oh well, what can you do?

I get out of my air conditioned vehicle and the heat smashes me immediately. The canyon is completely enveloped in shade but it is still 103º. Amazingly, I get used to it very quickly. It's like jumping into the ocean. At first it's shocking, then it's tolerable and after a while it feels pretty darn good.

Heading through the narrows of Ladder Canyon, I am thinking I have two goals. One, I want to get up top before the sun sets and, two, I want to get back out before it's completely dark. I brought a flashlight, just in case, but it's still kinda spooky in here at night.

I find the first trail out of the canyon I come to and take it. I've never gone this way before but my goal tonight is not to do the loop with Painted Canyon but to see the sun go down.

I am too late. The smoke from the fire hovers on the horizon but the sun has already made its exit. Next time I'll have to find a better vantage point or get an earlier start.

I'd better get back before it gets too dark. The moon is already out but it will not be of any help deep in those canyons. I do not want to step on a snake or scorpion.

Speaking of scorpions, someone made this little rock formation of one. Maybe some crazy scorpion cult waiting for a lone hiker to wander up here at night so they could feed his doughy body to their...

Wait! I'm starting to get crazy here. It's just a symbol of an animal. A multi appendaged animal that kills with a poison stinger, rips apart its quarry with claws and...

OK, I'm leaving. Not because I'm scared or anything but thinking about scorpions eating has made me hungry. I wonder if my wife made anything good for dinner.

There is still plenty of light left. I hope.

I get to the ladder and have to briefly pull out my flashlight. Once I'm in the larger, main canyon I am OK without it.

I make it just in time. Of course, I have to drive through Mecca at night so I'm not out of the woods yet. Maybe the scorpion cult is waiting for the full moon on Tuesday. I know where I won't be then.

Ladder Canyon, Mecca Hills

DAY EIGHTY

Ladder Canyon is a hike that everyone who lives in the Coachella Valley has to do at least once. It is in the Mecca Hills Wilderness area and is doable by anyone who can walk and climb up and down a ladder, or seven. Getting there is as easy as taking 1-10 East to the Hwy 86 Expressway, South. Turn left on Avenue 66 and follow it just over six miles to Painted Canyon Road.

This is the intersection for Painted Canyon Road. The sign might say 4WD only but I've taken my wife's minivan on it. Use caution after a storm because it may wash out but most of the time, it's OK.

Follow the road about five miles to a parking area at the end. As the canyon narrows, you can really see why they call this Painted Canyon.

Park your vehicle and head up the canyon to the north of the parking area. When the canyon takes a hard 90º right turn, Ladder Canyon will be on your left.

Someone put this in the wash so you won't miss it. Just don't count on it being there after the next rain.

It's not long before I hit the first ladder, this one going down. And yes, I am wearing sandals.

Shortly after the first ladder, you come upon the ladder #2. It is the tallest ladder but is very sturdy so no worries. Just don't try to climb the wooden one.

The canyon gets very narrow at this point. Even though the temperature is over 85º, it is very comfortable in the canyon. I came in the afternoon after 4pm and my hike is in the shade probably 90 percent of the time.

Ladder #3

There are many flowers in bloom: Arizona Lupine, Desert Tobacco, Heart leafed primrose, Desert Rock Pea. Ghost Flowers, Desert Mallow, Notch-leafed Phacelia, Indigo Bush and this Beavertail Cactus.

Ladder #4.

Ladder #5. I hate this ladder. It doesn't seem that stable to me but it's been here for years and I've never had a problem with it but I still don't like it.

You climb out of the canyon and follow a trail before you drop down into Painted Canyon.

A couple of hikers on the ridge above Painted Canyon.

Ladder #6. Going down?

After ladder #6, you have just one more to go and it's pictured here with ladder #6. Just about a quarter of a mile to go the complete the loop and then a short hike back to your vehicle. This area is rife with canyons to explore.

I've always wondered what's up this little side canyon. I guess I'll just have to come back and find out, won't I?

A day with the boys!

Took my sons and four of their buddies for a little hike in the Mecca Hills yesterday.  The weather couldn't have been better and a great time was had by all.  

My kids were a little apprehensive before going on this hike. The last time we went there, the sun went down when we were half way done and we had to hike two miles and climb down a couple of ladders with one small flashlight and the light of a cellphone.  And it's DARK in those canyons.  We made it back to the Jeep just as our batteries were going dead.

The best part of the trip was sneaking up behind four of the boys and scaring them with a mountain lion growl.  I hadn't seen any of those kids move so fast the whole day.  Here are a few pictures: